Possible MS?

Hi tiredredhead,

Your current health issues definitely complicate things. If there is a concern about the possibility of MS then, yes, see a Neurologist for an evaluation and testing.

Cognitive Dysfunction can be due to many different reasons. If you are taking any prescription medications it would be a good idea to research any possible side effects. There are medications that can negatively effect cognition. When cognitive abilities decline or negatively change it is usually a good idea to have a Neuropsych evaluation and testing. This type of testing is done for many different health issues. I have had Neuropsych evaluation and testing.

Your PT referred to muscles putting to much tension on joints. This might fall under Spasticity. Spasticity has different causes. If it is spasticity muscle relaxers should help.

Thanks for the responses. Right now I am just waiting on the referral nurse to call with the neurologist appointment. I despise this waiting game. It's been " let's check for this, well maybe it's that" for what seems like forever. Meanwhile whatever it is keeps progressing. I did go back and double check my meds, but all I routinely take is 800 mg of ibuprofen and was taking an occasional Flexiril. Have ended up on Lexapro due to chronic pain and stress, but the onset of all this predates that. My doc just put me on baclofen for the muscle spasticity. I can handle my "regular" pain, but this fatigue and mental decline is making me crazy. Tonights fun and games are random sharp nerve "twitches" and sudden stabbing nerve type pains. Juuuust when I think they are done for the night and I can sleep, they start again.

I have three medical professionals in agreement that this really looks like MS and hoping the appt for neuro is soon. But I have had an MRI of my neck, upper spine, and lower spine at different times within the last 3 years. Wouldn't they have seen lesions on those?

Hi tiredredhead, I can answer your question about the MRI's of your spine. Yes, if there were any lesions they would have shown up on those scans. As Snoopy & Gretchen posted above the dr will order testing after a thorough exam. If a lesion were to show up in the brain on an MRI, then an MRI with contrast could be next to get more of an idea about a lesion. Keep in mind, people can also have what is called benign lesions that are not MS or cancer related.

I hope the Baclofen helps, it has been a life saver for me. I have been on it for several years & so far it continues to work well.

Take care.

I'm new to this listing but am also wondering if what I have is MS. 6 yrs. ago I began on this journey of a strange neurological illness. It began with sev. months of dizziness and nausea which then proceeded to head and eye pain, bouts of ataxia, extreme pain (like constricting bands around chest and back, which I'm now experiencing), periodic hoarseness/husky voice, esophagus "swelling"/constriction and inability to swallow, periodic problems with inability to take a breath (diaphragm involved), muscle spasms, brain fog, problems with slow processing of info, problems with word recall, etc. Neurologist did lots of tests and MRI of brain and one of spine in 2012. MRI's showed some lesions in brain (not MS, he said) but none in spine. Was sent to rheumatologist, ENT, etc. Testing showed I do have Meniere's Disease and also migraines (which may be cause of lesions). Have fibromyalgia and arthritis plus degenerative disc disease, probably due to severe car accident 28 yrs. ago. I was later sent to an integrative dr. who did his own testing and found that I had a mercury toxicity, chemical toxicities, and Epstein Barr virus, 2 chronic pneumonia bacterial infections, and a chronic strep infection also affecting my health. In other testing (SRT for allergies), 2 of the Lyme/lyme asso. bacteria also showed up. The ataxia can get to be extreme. Usually I just look like I'm a "happy drunk" walking; I actually can't walk forward like normal. But, it can get severe and my legs will "go out" and can't hold me up. It can last for days, weeks, or months. Oftentimes it's then followed by extreme all over stiffness, which makes it very difficult to move at all. Had a flare of the ataxia and head/eye pain with brain fog from Oct. to Dec. Then had 3 months without it but with more minor complaints. Ataxia flare began again in April and just ended. Now this constricting band around my back and chest. Also, hoarseness/huskiness. The integrative doc says it may well be MS (even tho the neurol. said not) or Lyme or a combination of things. His testing discovered that I have a gene mutation that makes it very difficult for me to get rid of toxins, which of course complicates things. But, he also said that no matter what it is (whether MS or these infections/toxicities that have "gone to my brain"), he'd still treat it the same way. There are months when I'm pretty much housebound. Others when I use the walker, rarer times when I need the wheelchair, and times when I can navigate on my own and even go for walks. I'm getting really frustrated by it all. As the integ. doc says, we've made progress but need a breakthrough. Do these many symptoms sound like MS?

Thanks. Yes, that's kind of what I was thinking, too. Just not sure neurologist will approve since I'm fine whenever I see him now

Sarah,

I'm so sorry you're still dealing with symptoms, and without answers. I've never heard of white matter brain disease!! It doesn't sound normal for any reason!!

Please try to see a neurologist who is a movement disorder expert. Find one who has lots of experience with MS. Your primary care doctor seems quite good. I hope you can help you find answers.

Thank you for the update. I'm sad it's not better news. Keep us posted.